ARTicles: the Arts Council Newsletter, September 2024
September 2024 : All month
Silent Auction of Grace Johnson’s Art Finds – Macon Co. Public Library (continued display & fundraiser)
Visit the Meeting Room soon to bid on items from Johnson’s collection of art works from around the world; proceeds benefit Friends of the Macon County Public Library.
Lots to See & Do at The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts – 323 Franklin Rd., Highlands
Members Challenge: Legacies hangs through Nov. 30; reception is Thursday Sept. 12, 5:00. Full exhibit/event schedule, class and gift shop info at thebascom.org.
Visit the Meeting Room soon to bid on items from Johnson’s collection of art works from around the world; proceeds benefit Friends of the Macon County Public Library.
Lots to See & Do at The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts – 323 Franklin Rd., Highlands
Members Challenge: Legacies hangs through Nov. 30; reception is Thursday Sept. 12, 5:00. Full exhibit/event schedule, class and gift shop info at thebascom.org.
In Macon County in Sept 2024:
7, Saturday, 6:30-9
Old Time Community Contra+ Dance – Macon County Public Library, 149 Siler Farm Rd. Contra Dance website.
Claire Takemori calls Contra & Round Dances to music by Larry Barnett’s Late to the Party Band. All dances are taught; Takemori helps dancers hone skills with flourishes and special moves. No experience or partner required. Beginners’ instruction 6:30-7:00, dance starts at 7; water bottles & snacks allowed. Admission by donation, kids/first-timers free. Email [email protected].
8, Sunday, 3:00
Ransom/Kong Piano & Viola Duo - First Presbyterian Church, 26 Church St., Franklin
Two world renowned artists, Pianist William Ransom and Violist Yinzi Kong, play a program of light classics including George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, a Ballade by Frederic Chopin, and Manuel de Falla’s Seven Spanish Songs, among others. Ransom, Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival’s Artistic Director, has appeared as soloist with orchestras, recitalist, and chamber musician throughout the world. Kong is a founding member of the acclaimed Vega String Quartet and has won top prizes at international competitions. Venue has wheelchair access from FPC parking lot. Admission by donation, $10 suggested.
Violist Yinzi Kong gave her first public performances at age seven, holds a master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music, and has enjoyed a career in both solo and chamber music performance and teaching. Her live performances have been heard on many national radio stations including NPR's Performance Today. Pianist William Ransom, a graduate of The Juilliard School, has founded and/or directed a number of Chamber and Jazz Music festivals, and was named one of Musical America Worldwide’s “30 Musical Innovators.” The Arts Council first presented Will in Franklin April 13, 1986!
Kong and Ransom live in Atlanta, both hold positions at Emory University (she Artist-in-Residence, he Professor of Music), and both have collaborated with some of the finest musicians of our time, including Yo-Yo Ma, Richard Stoltzman, and Sarah Chang.
12 (starting), Thursdays, 6:45-7:45
Community African Dance – Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center off Hwy. 28N
Cowee School’s Dance Arts Co-op opens a series of Thursday evening African Dance sessions for everyone. Details at www.coweeschool.org. While you’re on the website, check the Co-op’s many dance classes for all ages, plus the wide array of other School classes and events.
15, Sunday, 1-6
Fourth Annual PorchFest Community Music Festival – Downtown Highlands
Highlands’ Center for Life Enrichment’s mostly-outdoor celebration presents area musicians across many genres (45 acts involving 71 performers at 15 venues around town) so that community members and visitors can enjoy a free live-music-filled Sunday afternoon. Bring lawn chairs and smiles. Porchfest artists’ fees are supported by Arts Council ARTReach funding; details and schedule of acts at highlandsporchfest.com.
15, Sunday, 2:30
Rob Lytle in Concert — Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, 89 Sierra Dr., Franklin
This Listening Room artist’s tender vocals and lyrical honesty have been compared to James Taylor’s. $20 suggested donation; reservations at [email protected].
18-21, Wed - Sat
Annual Macon County Fair, Wayne Proffitt Fairgrounds, 1436 Georgia Road, Franklin, website
The Council’s display booth will use the Fair theme, Bringing the Harvest Home, to launch our celebration of bringing Maconians a bountiful harvest of diverse, high-quality arts programming for 50 years! Check us out while you’re enjoying the animals, activities, and funnel cakes.
21, Saturday, 6:00
Whitewater Bluegrass Company Concert– Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center off Hwy. 28N
Five-member Southern/Country roots band boasts a 40-year history of mountain music, songs, dance, and humor. $15 adult/$7.50 child, food truck on site, coweeschool.org.
Old Time Community Contra+ Dance – Macon County Public Library, 149 Siler Farm Rd. Contra Dance website.
Claire Takemori calls Contra & Round Dances to music by Larry Barnett’s Late to the Party Band. All dances are taught; Takemori helps dancers hone skills with flourishes and special moves. No experience or partner required. Beginners’ instruction 6:30-7:00, dance starts at 7; water bottles & snacks allowed. Admission by donation, kids/first-timers free. Email [email protected].
8, Sunday, 3:00
Ransom/Kong Piano & Viola Duo - First Presbyterian Church, 26 Church St., Franklin
Two world renowned artists, Pianist William Ransom and Violist Yinzi Kong, play a program of light classics including George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, a Ballade by Frederic Chopin, and Manuel de Falla’s Seven Spanish Songs, among others. Ransom, Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival’s Artistic Director, has appeared as soloist with orchestras, recitalist, and chamber musician throughout the world. Kong is a founding member of the acclaimed Vega String Quartet and has won top prizes at international competitions. Venue has wheelchair access from FPC parking lot. Admission by donation, $10 suggested.
Violist Yinzi Kong gave her first public performances at age seven, holds a master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music, and has enjoyed a career in both solo and chamber music performance and teaching. Her live performances have been heard on many national radio stations including NPR's Performance Today. Pianist William Ransom, a graduate of The Juilliard School, has founded and/or directed a number of Chamber and Jazz Music festivals, and was named one of Musical America Worldwide’s “30 Musical Innovators.” The Arts Council first presented Will in Franklin April 13, 1986!
Kong and Ransom live in Atlanta, both hold positions at Emory University (she Artist-in-Residence, he Professor of Music), and both have collaborated with some of the finest musicians of our time, including Yo-Yo Ma, Richard Stoltzman, and Sarah Chang.
12 (starting), Thursdays, 6:45-7:45
Community African Dance – Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center off Hwy. 28N
Cowee School’s Dance Arts Co-op opens a series of Thursday evening African Dance sessions for everyone. Details at www.coweeschool.org. While you’re on the website, check the Co-op’s many dance classes for all ages, plus the wide array of other School classes and events.
15, Sunday, 1-6
Fourth Annual PorchFest Community Music Festival – Downtown Highlands
Highlands’ Center for Life Enrichment’s mostly-outdoor celebration presents area musicians across many genres (45 acts involving 71 performers at 15 venues around town) so that community members and visitors can enjoy a free live-music-filled Sunday afternoon. Bring lawn chairs and smiles. Porchfest artists’ fees are supported by Arts Council ARTReach funding; details and schedule of acts at highlandsporchfest.com.
15, Sunday, 2:30
Rob Lytle in Concert — Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, 89 Sierra Dr., Franklin
This Listening Room artist’s tender vocals and lyrical honesty have been compared to James Taylor’s. $20 suggested donation; reservations at [email protected].
18-21, Wed - Sat
Annual Macon County Fair, Wayne Proffitt Fairgrounds, 1436 Georgia Road, Franklin, website
The Council’s display booth will use the Fair theme, Bringing the Harvest Home, to launch our celebration of bringing Maconians a bountiful harvest of diverse, high-quality arts programming for 50 years! Check us out while you’re enjoying the animals, activities, and funnel cakes.
21, Saturday, 6:00
Whitewater Bluegrass Company Concert– Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center off Hwy. 28N
Five-member Southern/Country roots band boasts a 40-year history of mountain music, songs, dance, and humor. $15 adult/$7.50 child, food truck on site, coweeschool.org.
Outside Macon County but within reach
5, Thursday, 7:00
Black Sea Beat Society – Folkmoot Center, 112 Virginia Ave., Waynesville
An electrifying music and culture celebration, BSBS delivers a diverse repertoire spanning Balkan Brass, Turkish Psychedelic, Middle Eastern classics, and Klezmer tunes. On-site food truck; doors open 6:00, pay-what-you-can tickets at folkmoot.org or at the door.
21, Saturday, 9-3
Youth Arts Fest – Jackson County Green Energy Park, 100 Green Energy Park Rd. Dillsboro, FBpage, 828-631-0271.
An autumn cornucopia of free make & take arts activities for kids; spend some time with professional Uptown Gallery artists at Macon County Art Association’s station.
Black Sea Beat Society – Folkmoot Center, 112 Virginia Ave., Waynesville
An electrifying music and culture celebration, BSBS delivers a diverse repertoire spanning Balkan Brass, Turkish Psychedelic, Middle Eastern classics, and Klezmer tunes. On-site food truck; doors open 6:00, pay-what-you-can tickets at folkmoot.org or at the door.
21, Saturday, 9-3
Youth Arts Fest – Jackson County Green Energy Park, 100 Green Energy Park Rd. Dillsboro, FBpage, 828-631-0271.
An autumn cornucopia of free make & take arts activities for kids; spend some time with professional Uptown Gallery artists at Macon County Art Association’s station.
ARTBriefs, ongoing, most FREE for your pARTicipation:
Dance:
Contra Dance
First Saturdays at 6:30, Macon County Public Library, (Sept 7, 2024, see details above), website.
High Mountain Squares
Dances first, third, and fifth Fridays 6:15-8:30, Carpenter Community Building, square dance classes required; email Charles Nuckolls for details, [email protected].
Literary (Books, Stories & Writers):
Family Storytime: all Mondays 10:00 a.m., kids age 0-5, Macon County Public Library.
Sensory Storytime: all Tuesdays 10:00 a.m., for youth. Macon County Public Library.
Writers Group: alternate Mondays 1:00, Macon County Public Library; email Jim at [email protected].
Music:
Live Music with The Vagabonds first and third Mondays 2:00, Macon County Public Library, 828-524-3600.
Song Circle first Tuesday 3:00-6:00, musicians’ song-sharing sessions, MCPLibrary; Cricket 541-771-7788.
Otto Monthly Music Jam second Thursday 6:00-9:00, Otto Comm. Cntr., 60 Firehouse Rd., go2ottonc.com.
Open Mic Night second Friday 6-8, Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center., 51 Cowee School Dr., Hwy 28N.
Music, storytelling, dance, poetry, etc. (most months, check coweeschool.org)
C-Square Band Rocks Las Barricas fourth Friday 11:31-1:01, 2722 Georgia Rd., Franklin, 828-524-ARTS.
Mid-Day Music @The FROG all Saturdays 11:00-1:00, Friends of the Greenway, 573 E. Main, Franklin, 828-369-8488, free.
Sept. 9 The Shifty Sisters. 14th Al Scortino & Greg “Squeezebox” Thomas. 21st Song Circle w/Bill Petersen, Zip Robertson & Cricket Woodward, 28th Charley Simmons.
Pickin’ on the Square second and fourth Saturdays 6:00, Franklin Town Square
Sept. 14 Two Weeks Notice. 28th (band tba). Free, produced by Town of Franklin, bring a lawn chair.
Visual Arts & More:
Macon Chips Wood Carving Club all Tuesdays 10:00-noon, Macon County Public Library, and all Thursdays 6:00-7:30 p.m. Franklin High woodshop. All skill levels welcome, 828-349-6109.
Paint Parties Thursdays 10:00-3:00, bring project/lunch, Uptown Gallery, 30 E. Main, Franklin, 828-349-4607.
**Note: Macon County Public Library (MCPL): 149 Siler Farm Rd, Franklin, NC, 828-524-3600, MCPL website.
Contra Dance
First Saturdays at 6:30, Macon County Public Library, (Sept 7, 2024, see details above), website.
High Mountain Squares
Dances first, third, and fifth Fridays 6:15-8:30, Carpenter Community Building, square dance classes required; email Charles Nuckolls for details, [email protected].
Literary (Books, Stories & Writers):
Family Storytime: all Mondays 10:00 a.m., kids age 0-5, Macon County Public Library.
Sensory Storytime: all Tuesdays 10:00 a.m., for youth. Macon County Public Library.
Writers Group: alternate Mondays 1:00, Macon County Public Library; email Jim at [email protected].
Music:
Live Music with The Vagabonds first and third Mondays 2:00, Macon County Public Library, 828-524-3600.
Song Circle first Tuesday 3:00-6:00, musicians’ song-sharing sessions, MCPLibrary; Cricket 541-771-7788.
Otto Monthly Music Jam second Thursday 6:00-9:00, Otto Comm. Cntr., 60 Firehouse Rd., go2ottonc.com.
Open Mic Night second Friday 6-8, Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center., 51 Cowee School Dr., Hwy 28N.
Music, storytelling, dance, poetry, etc. (most months, check coweeschool.org)
C-Square Band Rocks Las Barricas fourth Friday 11:31-1:01, 2722 Georgia Rd., Franklin, 828-524-ARTS.
Mid-Day Music @The FROG all Saturdays 11:00-1:00, Friends of the Greenway, 573 E. Main, Franklin, 828-369-8488, free.
Sept. 9 The Shifty Sisters. 14th Al Scortino & Greg “Squeezebox” Thomas. 21st Song Circle w/Bill Petersen, Zip Robertson & Cricket Woodward, 28th Charley Simmons.
Pickin’ on the Square second and fourth Saturdays 6:00, Franklin Town Square
Sept. 14 Two Weeks Notice. 28th (band tba). Free, produced by Town of Franklin, bring a lawn chair.
Visual Arts & More:
Macon Chips Wood Carving Club all Tuesdays 10:00-noon, Macon County Public Library, and all Thursdays 6:00-7:30 p.m. Franklin High woodshop. All skill levels welcome, 828-349-6109.
Paint Parties Thursdays 10:00-3:00, bring project/lunch, Uptown Gallery, 30 E. Main, Franklin, 828-349-4607.
**Note: Macon County Public Library (MCPL): 149 Siler Farm Rd, Franklin, NC, 828-524-3600, MCPL website.
Arts Council’s Second Sunday @3:00 Coming Events
October 3
Visit Sleepy Hollow with Overlook Theatre Company with Director Scotty Corbin
On the stage of the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts: Corbin takes us backstage for an insider look at how Ichabod Crane’s story will unfold on the SMCPA stage. Details will be in the October ARTicles.
October 25-26
OTC’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Visit Sleepy Hollow with Overlook Theatre Company with Director Scotty Corbin
On the stage of the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts: Corbin takes us backstage for an insider look at how Ichabod Crane’s story will unfold on the SMCPA stage. Details will be in the October ARTicles.
October 25-26
OTC’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
AND…
Macon County Art Association’s Uptown Gallery, 30 E. Main, Franklin:
Offers members’ unique art works at affordable prices and holds classes and workshops for all ages. Sept. workshops include bouquet painting on canvas, hand-building pottery for beginners, and fused glass wind chimes for beginners.
Open 10:00-5:00 Mon.-Sat. (except Wed.); franklinuptowngallery.com, 828-349-4607.
Macon County Art Association’s Uptown Gallery, 30 E. Main, Franklin:
Offers members’ unique art works at affordable prices and holds classes and workshops for all ages. Sept. workshops include bouquet painting on canvas, hand-building pottery for beginners, and fused glass wind chimes for beginners.
Open 10:00-5:00 Mon.-Sat. (except Wed.); franklinuptowngallery.com, 828-349-4607.